hey everyone I'm working on a bigfoot costume and I've had a foam latex kit for about seven months now. So I was wondering how long foam latex would last.
hey everyone I'm working on a bigfoot costume and I've had a foam latex kit for about seven months now. So I was wondering how long foam latex would last.
it all depends. many factors. I have been running foam latex in batsuits for years. I would argue THE most difficult thing to run foam with. You cant have mess-ups. Creature suits are much more forgiving. You can reinforce the suits. you can protect them from U.V. light.
If it's kept in a cool dark area it can still be good for a few years. Had some Woodbridge foam last five years... Be sure to shake the components till your arms fall off. Check the ammonia in your base as well and if it's weak add a little.
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if the latex base (especially heavy body latex (or creamed)) is stored in a room that is clean and dry and that the temporature doesn't fluctuate it will last about a year to 2 years. be sure go give it (and the other components, ie foaming agent, vulcanising agent get, potasium olenate, trimene base, biosides etc, any that you are using) a damn good shake regularly. temperature when storing is VITAL. i started my career as foam technician on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and i have made foam by the TON and during that shoot we had a blasting hot summer, and snow all through winter. we had a LOT of latex base die because of these highs and lows in temperature. so that's the best advice i can give. hope it helps.
I have a latex foam batman begins torso and cowl (at least I believe it is) from doody. I've had it for at least 3 1/2 years in a no sunlight room in my basement. Still in the same condition as when I got it, so I've been really happy with it.
The suggestions you are getting are valid for the before and after of it's use, btw. And all are valid for both as well. Wen storing the unused mix, temperature and humidity can be key. And the same applies once you casted the mixed up foam. Latex is a natural product and if not stored properly it can rot. so, once you've created your foam latex piece it's important to store or display in the proper conditions. The quality of the foam can also factor in, so don't go cheap on the stuff. I've seen pieces from Silver Bullet and TMNT last a long while, yet foam latex face masks of Brandon Lee started deteriorating after just a few years. Cheap latex does not last nearly as long.
Got you fellas beat.. I have "fresh" in used Hulk appliances from the TV show. That goes back to early 80's. I keep it out of the light in as cool a place as I have in a ziplock bag.
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